Creating space for women to strengthen their skills, independence, and livelihoods.
Creating space for women to strengthen their skills, independence, and livelihoods.
In many rural communities in Sierra Leone, women carry much of the work of farming, trading, and caring for their families, yet have fewer chances to build their skills, earn a steady income, or take part in decisions that affect them. Common barriers include limited access to vocational training, savings, and small loans, as well as low literacy and few nearby markets. Women with disabilities, widows, and young mothers often face these barriers most strongly.
CDEO works alongside women in their own communities, starting by listening to what they need and the skills they want to build. We aim to support practical, locally suited ways to earn and save, and to encourage women to take part in community decision-making. We include women with disabilities and those caring for children with disabilities, and we work with community leaders and partners so that support continues over time.
Planned activities include: • Listening sessions with women's groups to understand their priorities, skills, and the barriers they face • Forming and supporting village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), so women can save together and take small loans • Vocational skills training, such as tailoring, gara tie-dye, soap making, baking, and hairdressing • Small business and financial skills: budgeting, pricing, record keeping, and managing savings • Adult literacy and numeracy classes for women who missed out on school • Start-up kits or small grants for women who complete training, to help them begin or grow a business • Support for women farmers, including seeds, tools, vegetable gardening, and group farming • Linking women's groups with markets, buyers, and cooperatives to sell what they produce • Making sure women with disabilities and caregivers of children with disabilities can take part, with accessible venues and support • Leadership and rights awareness sessions that encourage women to take part in community decision-making • Mentoring and follow-up visits to help women and groups keep going after training Progress updates will be shared here as activities take place.
Approved photographs from this focus area are shared in our photo gallery, with consent and care for the people pictured.
Machogo, Kumbu and Makonday communities, Sanda Loko Chiefdom
A proposed community-led initiative helping women in Machogo, Kumbu and Makonday strengthen practical livelihood skills, save together and develop sustainable income opportunities for their families.
View project
Volunteer your skills, build a partnership, or help resource a community priority.